Kawudana-Attidiya storm water canal in need of cleaning

By H.M. Dharmapala and Kusal Chamath
The Kawudana-Attidiya storm water canal in the Ratmalana Division has been in a dilapidated condition for over ten years, much to the inconvenience of the large population in the area. The storm water canal constructed during the time of Dehiwala – Mount Lavinia MP and former Industries Minister the late C.V. Gunaratne to prevent flood threats during heavy rainfall has been neglected and used as a wastewater canal.

Area residents pointed out that the dumping of garbage in the canal was going on unchecked, creating a serious health hazard.
A resident of the area living in close proximity to the canal, C.H. Nelson Fernando, said former Minister the late C.V. Gunaratne had implemented the project in parallel to the Lunawa lagoon development project on the request of the public, who experienced a flood threat during heavy rain.

“It is in a dilapidated state due to neglect and misuse. A canal reservation created by acquiring private land is now encroached by unauthorised dwellers who use the canal as a dumping ground and obstruct the free flow of water. The canal is now filled with garbage including solid waste. Machinery and equipment installed on the reservation have been left to the mercy of the elements without any attention. Even the road running parallel to the canal reservation is obstructed by unauthorised traders who have erected their stalls,” he said.

A resident of Badovita in Mount Lavinia, I.D. Piyasena said people were now facing a flood threat due to the dilapidated state of the canal which would not allow the free flow of water. He pointed out that the canal was now filled with stagnant water and garbage. “In the past, storm water in Kawudana, Karagampitiya, Pagnaloka road, Abeysekara road and Badovita flowed through the Bellanwila marshy land into the Werasganga. Now the canal is obstructed by garbage. This has created a serious health hazard. The very health authorities that implement Dengue prevention programmes and take legal action against residents if a little water is found in discarded coconut shells have turned a blind eye to the Attidiya canal, which has turned into a massive Dengue mosquito breeding ground,” he said.

Area residents requested the relevant authorities to clean the canal and restore the broken sidewalls. They also stressed the need to remove the unauthorised vendors and traders who were mainly responsible for the present sad state of the canal.